The Fort stands as a symbol of the British
Raj, amid state offices, facing the sea in the east of the city, just
south of George Town. It is the first British fort build around1653 by
the British East India Company. The structure of the fort is a fine example
of 17th century British military architecture, and was mostly built in
1966. It has a 20 feet thick wall. The country's tallest flagstaff
is here, thought to be over 300 years old. The 24 black Charnockite pillars
are those reclaimed by the British in 1762 of the original 32 which once
formed the colonade of the present Secretariat building.
Within the fort, a number of other early buildings still stand of which
St. Mary's Church is the most interesting. It was consecrated in 1680
and is the oldest Protestant Church in the East. The church contains several
antiquities, not the least being the oldest British tombstones in India
and memories of weddings in which Clive and Elihu Yale, benefactor of
America's Yale University, Arthur
Wellesley who became Wellington and Warren Hastings were
present for weddings held here. Opposite the Church is the Pay accounts
office. It was formerly Robert Clive's house commemorates the Empire-builder
who first learnt his trade here. It is open to the public.
Other buildings of importance in the Fort are the Old Government House,
the Banqueting Hall (now called Rajaji Hall) built by Goldingham for the
Governor's official entertainment during the Clive period. The foundations
of Indian Army and Civil Service, the land survey by Colin Mackenize,
and the archaeological, botanical and zoological surveys were all laid
at Fort. St.George. The Fort has a museum contains some fascinating items.
Now Fort St. George houses Tamilnadu Secretariat and the Legislative
Assembly. The best time to visit is on a Sunday.
Contact : Fort St.George
Chennai - 600009
Phone : +91-44-2567 1127
